Published Letters from Baltimore County Members
June 2005
Ehrlich is correct to change MTA routes
Date: June 29, 2005
Publication: The Community Times
Date: June 30, 2005
Publication: The Owings Mills Times
Author:
In response to the letter by Emily Wolfson and the article concerning the proposed new bus routes of the Mass Transit Administration, I beleive some very important facts were not addressed.
When Gov. Ehrlich prepares his budget, he is required to follow the law mandated by the legislature and signed into law by previous governors. The law requires and 40 percent fare recovery on mass transit. The routes being discussed for revamping try to do exactly that.
After years of neglect by previous administrations, transportation Secretary Flannagan has done extensive studies to make this transition as painless as possible.
Somehow those who use mass transit feel it is the taxpayer's obligation to get them to their destination with no regard to cost.
These same people want to criticize the use of transportation funds on road building and upkeep, rather than on mass transit. Why? Maryland has one of the highest gas tax rates in the country, and these funds are used for new roads and improvements. When gas went to $2.10 a gallon, the MTA never raised the rates. Instead the people who drive absorbed every penny. Why was there no rate increase on MTA?
One example of the waste is the M12 line traveling through Caves Valley to take 12 domestic workers to their job at a cost to taxpayers of $9.12 per rider. Caves Valley roads were not designed to handle bus traffic, especially in a residential neighborhood.
Second, mass transit means just that, transportation for the majority.
Your legislators in the 10th and 11th Districts have the power to change the law, not Gov. Ehrlich.
If you don't like the law, tell them to change it. Or in 2006, show them the unemployment line, and don't forget to tell them which bus line to use to get downtown.
To fight crime, let police drive their cruisers home
Date: June 23, 2005
Publication: The Catonsville Times
Author: George Kapusinski, Catonsville
I'd like to commend your May 25 editorial, "Positive Crime Statistics Must Be Put in Context." Your review of the crime statistics for Baltimore County correctly reports that while some crimes are down, the numbers of other crimes rose. Total violent crimes were actually up in 4 precincts and Baltimore County shows an alarming 58 percent increase in bank robberies.
You are completely accurate in your assessment that fighting crime never stops and all citizens need to be vigilant. However, there are more things we can do that surrounding jurisdictions have found work well in decreasing crime.
Baltimore County must fully fund "take home police cars" for our police officers. It has been shown in numerous jurisdictions that when a police officer can drive his car home it is a "win-win-win" for all involved. It decreases crime in neighborhoods; it is an extra benefit that helps in police recruitment; and it actually lengthens the life of a patrol car and saves money in the long run because one officer is responsible for it.
Many of the police cars now in service are well past their prime. I participated in a police ride-along and the car I was in had over 175,000 miles on it and was not equipped with a shotgun. If all police officers had to report in the event of a terrorist attack, there are simply not enough cars for all patrolmen at one time.
So, the next time a county politician tells you crime is down, ask him if he'll give up his car for a patrolman. Crime will go down more if he does.
Only a miracle saved Moxley from hurting himself, others
Date: June 20, 2005
Publication: The Jeffersonian
Author: Sheila Faulstich, member Baltimore County Republican Central Committee, Arbutus
As many people know, Councilman Sam Moxley was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol ("Moxley in 2 a.m. collision on I-695," The Jeffersonian, June 7).
I am upset that my councilman was drinking and driving, and that he refused to take a breathalyzer test. Instead of making excuses, he should take responsibility for his actions.
I understand that mistakes occur, but when I hear that Coucilman Moxley was uncooperative during this ordeal, as well as generally disrespectful - using foul language and claiming that his career was ruined - I conclude that his leadership skills leave much to be desired.
Too many innocent people are killed by drunk drivers. It is truly a miracle that no one was injured.
Moxley's apology at odds with the police report
Date: June 15, 2005
Publication: The Catonsville Times
Author: George Kapusinski, Catonsville
What seems to have been lost in Councilman's Moxley's arrest and "apology" is a thorough explanation of the differences in Mr. Moxley's account and the official police report.
The police report makes reference to the victim having to chase after Mr. Moxley after the accident. Page 2 states, "(The victim) observed the left turn signal activate on the Trailblazer and the vehicle began to move forward. (The victim) stated he ran after the trailblazer yelling for it to stop." It appears that Mr. Moxley was attempting to flee the scene. There is no reference to this in Mr. Moxley's apology.
The police report documents in graphic language how Mr. Moxley treated the arresting officer. After careening into an innocent person and after being pulled out of walking in an ongoing traffic lane, Mr. Moxley's response was "this is f____ing b___sh__". This deplorable behavior is at odds with Mr. Moxley's assertion that he was cooperative throughout.
The report finishes with the account that Mr. Moxley even refused to sign that he had received the tickets and was generally uncooperative throughout the processing." Has Mr. Moxley apologized to the officers in question? Certainly our police officers deserve better treatment than this.
Hopefully, Mr. Moxley will be more forthcoming about the events surrounding this incident and why his version of events is so different from the official police report.
Sincerely,
Councilman Moxley's arrest: Is this leading by example?
Date: June 15, 2005
Publication: The Catonsville Times
Author: Gary A. Smith
Given the differences between Councilman Moxley's and Officer Hippensteel's accounts of the events of the early morning of June 4, 2005, I am inclined to wonder whether the two individuals are talking about the same incident.
In his statement, the Councilman states that he cooperated with the Police. Officer Hippensteel stated that he was uncooperative, used expletives and refused to sign documents relating to his arrest.
Mr. Moxley also stated that he "waited for the police to arrive" after striking the parked Honda. According to the driver of the Honda, the Councilman's vehicle began to move after hitting his car, prompting the driver to run toward Mr. Moxley's vehicle and yell for him to stop. Perhaps he did wait, but his initial actions would seem to indicate a different intent.
Our elected officials should lead by example. The events of the morning of June 4 were not the kind of example that should be set by anyone, least of all a pillar of the community such as a County Councilman.
If the job of County Councilman is indeed a 24-hour a day position as stated by Council Secretary Thomas Peddicord in the article of June 8, then the Councilman was intoxicated while on the job. In the private sector and in non-elected government positions, such behavior while on duty and operating a motor vehicle would be dealt with swiftly and severely. I'm sure that the voters of the 1st District will know what to do when the Councilman comes up for his next job evaluation.
Sam Moxley should take responsibility for actions
Date: June 15, 2005
Publication: The Arbutus Times and The Catonsville Times
Author: Sheila Faulstich, Arbutus, Baltimore County Republican Central Committee
As many of you know, Councilman Sam Moxley was arrested for DUI. As a constituent of Councilmanic District 1, I am upset that my councilman was drinking and driving. He also refused to take a breathalyzer test. Instead of making excuses, he should take responsibility for his actions.
I understand that mistakes do happen. However, when I hear that Councilman Moxley was uncooperative during this ordeal, as well as generally disrespectful, using foul language and claiming that his career was ruined, this leads me to believe his leadership skills leave much to be desired.
Too many innocent people die from drunken drivers. To have our councilman charged with this type of behavior is just shameful.
Party Line (R) GOP moves forward; Democrats retreat
Date: June 15, 2005
Publication: The Jeffersonian
Author: Chris Cavey
Two interesting political developments have been reported in Baltimore County in the last month.
First, the county was named "Republican County of the Year," at the Maryland GOP Convention, for the first time ever. When the award was announced we were called "innovative and progressive." It's quite an honor.
Simultaneously, inside Baltimore County's traditional Republican territory, there has formed "The Progressives of Northern Maryland." According to another newspaper, they are a group of people who are "depressed" about today's political climate. They gathered on a farm in Sparks for a Woodstock-type reunion of despondent John Kerry fans.
I find this fascinating. Sure, they claim to be a "nonpartisan" group, but we know that is only to attract the members of the Green Party, who are also very depressed. If this dejected group hadn't met in the heart of Ehrlich Country, even the press would have overlooked the plight of this out-of-touch branch of the Maryland Democratic Party.
Next, the name of "progressive" is an interesting choice. I looked it up. It means:
Moving forward; advancing.
Proceeding in steps; continuing steadily by increments.
Promoting or favoring progress toward better conditions or new policies, ideas, or methods.
It seems to me that Governor Ehrlich is being very progressive for Maryland and our citizens: moving forward from almost 40 years of single-party domination, investing more money than previous governors in the Chesapeake Bay, funding education at higher dollar amounts than any other governor, working to control tort liability, creating a Cabinet-level department for handicapped people, prioritizing Minority Business Enterprise initiatives, signing the medical marijuana policy initiatives, creating thousands of new jobs and establishing a business climate that has resulted in the lowest unemployment rate since 1964. This all sounds pretty "progressive" to me.
Perhaps these people meant to be "The Regressives of Northern Maryland." Logic tells me that if they are not in support of what the governor is doing then they must wish to go backwards and reclaim the glory days of the previous liberal, tax-and-spend Democratic governor.
Maybe, with luck, these self-proclaimed progressive activists could work toward an increase in the sales tax or corporate taxes. Speaker of the House Michael Busch would then really welcome them into the Maryland Progressives Group.
Perhaps they are posturing to support a candidate who runs a city with a failing criminal justice system, a failing school system and no clue of how to solve those problem. (As a musician, however, he does fit their progressive mold. Maybe next time they can get Marty to sing at their function.)
Finally, I'm all for everyone's right to express his or her values and for people's right to gather. I'm happy there is an outlet for like-minded people in our county to share their pride and misery - but before we act, let's analyze who is progressive with public policy and who is not.
Also, let's have a little truth in advertising. Have some confidence in your beliefs. If you are a liberal Democrat or an out-of-touch Green Party member, just say so.
Chris Cavey is chairman of the Baltimore County Republican Party. He can be reached at .
Local legislators should get behind the Ehrlich agenda
Date: June 1, 2005
Publication: The Arbutus Times
Author: Albert Nalley, Baltimore County Republican Central Committee
Thank you, Gov. Ehrlich, for vetoing the Wal-Mart bill and the minimum wage increase.
As a small business owner, I was distraught at the tactics of the liberal Democratic legislators of my district in voting for these horrible pieces of legislation. Delegate Klausmeier and Senators Kasemeyer and Brochin have voted, yet again, against my best interest.
Therefore, I write to remind them that it would be in their best interest to sustain the veto by Gov. Ehrlich on these bills and get out from under their partisan masters.